Heat 2012 Off-Season Thread

[Wade County]

bahahaha Darko - you crazy son of a bitch. That is one impressive rant, nutbag.

Sign him

[NBAoz]

I really hope the Heat sign Darko. He is still relatively young for a center and I still hold hope (admittedly dwindling with each season) that in the right environment and under the right circumstances, he can fulfill his potential or at least come close to it. He wasn't half bad when he played for the Magic alongside Dwight and has been in the top 5 shot blockers numerous times during the course of a season. Apparently the Nets are no longer interested and the Clippers have now signed Hollins, so Miami's only known competitors at this stage look to be the Celtics and Bulls. I'm intrigued to see how he would fit in here and we do need another big. C'mon Darko, choose Miami!!!

[Jace]

Back to back posts from Australia! Sweet!

Though Ronny was a much more amiable crazy, every championship team needs one batshit dude. Turiaf isn't likely to be back -- let's make it Darko!

I'm not as down on it as I was a couple days ago. After reading some more stuff about him, viewing some teape, and realizing he's almost as young as Rio, I see the potential for some nice things. When he's been in comfortable situations he's performed nicely. We may have to just treat him with kid gloves a bit. Even if I wasn't coming around on him, I have faith in just about everything the Heat do. They sure as hell know what they're doing better than I do.



Something about Darkos and lunacy.

[Wade County]

I remember I used to draft or trade for Darko all the time in NBA Live 2004/2005 where he used to blow up massive.

Nowadays if he started in your NBA 2K12 team you might get 7 and 5 from him

[Jace]

Haha, oh potential...

Starting to also warm up to Blatche, as shameful as I feel saying it. I can't see him creating problems here, and even if he did, he'd be easily let go of. He's very skilled, has athleticism, length, and size. He could really be one of those signings that looks questionable at first, but then comes out of nowhere to appear genius.

If we're going to fill one of our last two spots with a rotation player, its going to be a risk/reward situation. I do like that two of our potential options are 25 and 27...that's not even counting Oden.

I've been speaking lately of thoughts and hopes that an expiring Al Jefferson could shake free, if not this summer, than during the season. I should have looked at his numbers before bringing this up. They're much better than I thought. Kanter and Favors will have to really step up to push him out in my eyes. Not sure why Al never seems to be mentioned amongst the best bigs in the league. Seems a consistent near-20/10.

[Jace]

He's wagging his finger at Mutombo -- WITH HIS EYES.

[Smithian]

Originally Posted by Jace

Haha, oh potential...

Starting to also warm up to Blatche, as shameful as I feel saying it. I can't see him creating problems here, and even if he did, he'd be easily let go of. He's very skilled, has athleticism, length, and size. He could really be one of those signings that looks questionable at first, but then comes out of nowhere to appear genius.

[Wade County]

Well, if no Curry, there needs to be a Blatche just to draw Smithi's ire

[Jace]

Maybe your boy Randy Whittman rubbed off on him just enough to plant a seed of grit and purity

In all seriousness, look at what happened to McGee when he went to Denver. He was more of an on the court knucklehead, but something similar could happen for Blatche. He's young, and it wouldn't be the first time we've seen a malcontent turn it around here.

Open your heart.

[Jace]

A happy 37th birthday to Jesus



Its a Miami Heat Christmas!



From Ethan Skolnick:

But how will the Heat handle its new roster riches, especially on the perimeter?

Is there time for everyone?

“A lot of it depends on Mike, and I don’t think anybody really knows what that situation is going to be,” Battier told the Palm Beach Post, referring to his close friend Mike Miller, who is forgoing back surgery for now in the hope his back heals. “I think (Pat) Riley is being sold on smallball. I think that he’s had a Come to Jesus moment. I think we’ll have a lot of flexibility like last year. I don’t know how that’s all going to play out, because we’ve got a lot of players. We’ve got a lot of good players who can play. I think Spo will have an interesting job trying to create rhythm and rotations, but it’s a good problem to have.”

Battier understands his defensive work, as an undersized power forward against the likes of David West and Brandon Bass, may have pushed Riley in this direction.

“You can get away with it,” Battier said. “You can get away with a stretch four guarding (someone). I think we’ve proven we can do it. I think for 82 games, it’s a little more difficult, because you do have to expend a lot of energy when you’re smaller. I play at 215 pounds, and I’m banging a guy 50 pounds heavier than me. It does take its toll energy-wise. We’ll be able to go to that lineup, I don’t think we’ll be able to beat it to death.”

Looks like he'd rather not start at PF. I know LeBron won't want to start there full-time. Unless they just switch off by possession or so to conserve energy, I'm guessing it'll be a pure PF (or "pure-er" a la Lewis) or less likely a C (Darko? The Earl Barron?) filling the 5th Beadle role.

[Wade2Bosh]

We can get away with starting UD or Joel next to Bosh for the regular season and then splitting the rest of the back up 4 minutes between Battier, Lewis and UD if he doesnt start. No need to play Battier over 30 minutes a night at the 4 like in the playoffs.

Definitely need to add another center though.

Nets look like they're on the verge of signing Nazr Mohammed, Ryan Hollins just signed with the Clippers, and the bulls are about to have to make a decision on Asik in the coming days. That's our main competition for Darko, if we really are looking at him.

[Jace]

When did the Rockets sign him to an offer sheet? Feels like they've been debating matching for ages.

[Knicks4life]

Originally Posted by Jace

When did the Rockets sign him to an offer sheet? Feels like they've been debating matching for ages.

The Rockets waived Jon Leuer and Jerome Jordan on Wednesday and will sign Asik to his offer sheet when those players clear the 48-hour waiver process.

...

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Wade2Bosh

We can get away with starting UD or Joel next to Bosh for the regular season and then splitting the rest of the back up 4 minutes between Battier, Lewis and UD if he doesnt start. No need to play Battier over 30 minutes a night at the 4 like in the playoffs.

Definitely need to add another center though.

Nets look like they're on the verge of signing Nazr Mohammed, Ryan Hollins just signed with the Clippers, and the bulls are about to have to make a decision on Asik in the coming days. That's our main competition for Darko, if we really are looking at him.

[Dee-Zy]

I don't want to see Bosh start at the 5 for 82 games.

What happened against Indiana is no fluke. Bosh doesn't have the body to get that type of battle under the basket done unless he bulks up like 50 lbs more, which will **** up his game.

How great would it be to see Bosh, like Lebron, improve and evolve his game with age? Gaining more muscles and becoming a legit C?

Pipe dream? I don't care if he can't take other 4s or 5s off the dribble, if he can still knock that long mid range and bang inside for D, Rebound and add a post game. I'd be happy.